G THEIR SACRIFICE

obert Nahanee, veteran and member of |

quamish Nation, proceeds down East
treet. j F

0 Status to serve

jours veterans with music and prayer

from William’s Lake, Gilbert served during
the Second World War.

Sandy remembers the effects that the war
had on Gilbert. As a child, she often wit-

nessed his PTSD.

Several speakers addressed the crowd at
Victory Square, including navy veteran Joy
Ward-Dockrey. Each stressed the impor-
tance of honouring the men and women
who served and are serving, and the need to
support those who are struggling when they
return from active duty.

While both world wars had severe effects
on all survivors, returning Indigenous vet-
erans were “twice traumatized,” said Ward-
Dockrey, who is also the spokesperson for
Indigenous Veterans in the Lower Mainland.

Canadian veterans had access to pensions,
land grants and medical benefits. Indigenous
veterans were told to return to reservations
where they were no longer members.

“So, what did they do?” said Ward-Dock-
rey, “They re-enlisted for the Korean War,
because it was the only thing they knew
and the only place they felt comfortable in
a country that didn’t welcome them back.”

While Indigenous peoples faced discrimi-
nation at home and were initially discour-
aged from enlisting, they found relief on the
battlefield, said Ward-Dockrey.

“It didn't matter what the colour of our
skin was because we were all equal while we
were out there fighting for freedom and in-
dependence for our country,” he said.

Despite the traumatic legacy of the wars
on Indigenous communities, those at Victo-
ry Square were proud to be able to celebrate
veterans.

‘The message we should take from war, said
Nahanee, is “to keep the peace. World peace.
We're human beings, we've got to live like
that. We can do it.”

E coasta Gilbert Pwho-stffered PTSD as
of his service in the S@cond World War.

Number of Indigenous people who
served in uniform during the First
World War from 1914 to 1918.

Ratio of able-bodied men who
volunteered in some areas of
Canada in the First World War.

Estimate of First Nations, Métis
and Inuit people who served in the
great conflicts of the 20th century.

Indigenous lives lost to wars in the
20th century.

SOURCE: VETERANS.GC.CA

The parade down East Hastings ma